Dear readers, 

As we near the end of 2022, it’s important to reflect on the year that has been and in particular the significant milestones and events that have occurred over the last two months within the women’s safety sector.

The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022 – 2032 was released on 17 October and focused on a commitment to end violence against women and children in Australia within one generation. It was a privilege to attend the National Press Club launch of the National Plan alongside many colleagues from across the sector to hear the Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP share her priorities for the $1.7 billion funding committed over the next six years to end violence against women and children.

Whilst the National Plan is ambitious, and one that requires a unified approach and societal attitude shift on domestic, family and sexual violence, the voice of victim-survivors features strongly, and 1800RESPECT is committed to playing a key role in helping achieve its outcome.  

There have also been many high profile cases of violence and harassment reported in the media. These reports can be extremely distressing for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence and we have had many individuals contact the service for support during this time. 

Other recent activity has seen the Federal Government put into law 10 days’ paid leave to assist with the impact of family and domestic violence. This paid leave comes into full effect by 1 August next year and will help financially support employees, including casuals experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence escape violence and abusive situations. This new legislation is a step forward in helping individuals seek the support they need.   

In this special edition of the newsletter, we recognise 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, commencing from today, 25 November, through to 10 December. I trust each of you across the sector have much planned during this significant period, just as we do for our teams across 1800RESPECT. To assist with any activities you might have planned, we have pulled together a range of helpful resources available for your use on this webpage. More information on 16 Days of Activism and how you can get involved is provided further down in this newsletter. 

During the 16 Days period, I look forward to attending the STOP Domestic Violence Conference to connect with sector experts and professionals from around the country. 1800RESPECT is pleased to sponsor the Networking Function where we can help raise awareness of the service. Further details can be found below, and I hope to meet some of you there.  

As we enter a busy period of festive season celebrations, we acknowledge this critical and challenging time for many impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence. The 1800RESPECT service will continue to be available 24/7 across the period for those requiring support whether they are someone impacted directly, or a family member, friend or colleague seeking guidance on how they can help the person they care about.  

If you have any questions about the service, feel free to reach out anytime to 1800RESPECTenquiries@health.telstra.com. 

Until next year,  

Dr Jennifer Beer | Head of 1800RESPECT 

16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence 

Did you know?  

The international campaign, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence was started by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It begins each year on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 Nov) and runs until Human Rights Day (10 Dec). This year’s global theme is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.  

There are various events and opportunities across the country to get involved in throughout the 16 days including vigils, walks against violence, workshops and plenty of other activities. 

For more information, refer to the links below or search for a local event near you. Can’t find an event? You can also support the campaign by wearing orange which represents a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls.  

1800RESPECT has created useful resources, including social media tiles and other information tailored to your situation, especially as professionals and frontline workers. To access these resources, visit: https://1800respect.org.au/promoting-1800respect/16-days-of-activism

Here are some useful websites: 

• 2022 Walk Against Family Violence | HomePage (safesteps.org.au) 

• 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence | Safe and Equal 

• From Awareness to Accountability | Global 16 Days Campaign 

• 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence | What we do: Ending violence again

STOP Domestic Violence Conference

The STOP Domestic Violence Conference from 30 November brings together professionals from across the country who work in the domestic, family and sexual violence sector, to unite and help provide a unified voice for change. 

1800RESPECT will be sponsoring a portion of the event to connect with sector experts and continue to raise awareness of the service.

For more information about the conference, visit 2022 Stop Domestic Violence Conference (anzmh.asn.au) 

Updates to the 1800RESPECT Service Directory

The 1800RESPECT Service Directory, our free national online database of services, helps us connect individuals who need support with appropriate services.  

The Directory has recently been updated to help those who use it directly, including richer information that supports frontline staff in identifying tailored services for referral pathways.  

Examples of this richer information include the proximity to a service for the person seeking support, as well as more detail about whether a service provides specialist support, such as for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.  

If you’d like to learn more or apply for your organisation to be listed on the Directory, visit 1800respect.org.au/services/about-service-directory

Wellbeing Tips

Write your Self-Care Plan

Self-Care Plans are written plans where you identify daily practices and activities that help you to cope with stress, avoid burnout and prevent vicarious trauma. 

Self-care practices should include:  

1. exercise 

2. healthy diet 

3. adequate sleep 

4. spending time with others, and;

5. mindful and relaxing activities, e.g. painting.   

It's essential that you check in with others regularly and ask/prompt peers to make/use a self-care plan. 

Thanks to one of 1800RESPECT’s Clinical Practice Leads for providing this insight. 

Media

National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-32 released - Read the National Plan and the Media Release by the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP. 

Federal Budget - the Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP Media Release: Increased support to end violence against women and children.

AAP: The budget provides record spending of $1.7bn over six years to end violence against women and children. 

ABC News:  The Federal Government has announced the domestic, family and sexual violence commissioner – Micaela Cronin.  

The Guardian: The Federal Government will inject $15m into the child abuse redress scheme to help it cope with a growing backlog of claims, which has more than doubled in two years.  

ABC Everyday: An expert-led story on how to help a survivor of intimate partner violence feel safer in a new relationship.

Pedestrian: Australians will be able to take up to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave next year after the Albanese Government passed the bill. 

The Conversation: A Four Corners special How Many More? provided a much-needed investigation into the rates of First Nations women missing and murdered in this country. 

A new study reveals that First Nations women are 69 times more likely to have a head injury after being assaulted.  

ABC News: The killings and disappearances of Indigenous women across Australia is a crisis hidden in plain sight. 

The Times: Prof. Silke Meyer has written a piece on what is needed to end gender-based violence in one generation. 

ABC News: An article about what support is available for women on temporary visas experiencing domestic violence. 

If you are writing a news article, blog, podcast or television episode on domestic, family or sexual violence, please use the 1800RESPECT tagline. Reading about violence and abuse can be triggering. Including our tagline in your piece allows those who are impacted by media coverage to know immediately who they can reach out to for support. 

For a copy of our tagline and contact details for media enquiries, please visit the News and Media section of our website. 

Conferences and key dates

25 November - 10 December: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence 

30 November – 2 December:  Stop Domestic Violence Conference  

3 December: International Day of People with Disability

10 December:  Human Rights Day 

DV-alert training, delivered by Lifeline since 2007, is a nationally accredited training program to build the knowledge and capability of frontline workers to recognise domestic and family violence, respond with care, and refer to appropriate services. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, DV-alert training is available in face-to-face workshops, virtual workshops and eLearning courses. Go to dvalert.org.au, attend a workshop, and be empowered to act. 

The Office of the eSafety Commissioner delivers a range of free webinars as professional development for frontline, specialist and support staff in the domestic violence and disability sector across Australia. Topics include, ‘Technology-facilitated abuse in domestic and family violence situations’ and 'Supporting children and young people – technology-facilitated abuse in domestic and family violence situations'. Register on the eSafety website.  

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Funded by the Australian Government